Scottish Islands Peak Race FAQ Latest News Congratulation to the team on North Star for winning the 2016 Scottish Islands Peaks Race with a time of 52:21:05. Well done Cris, Chris, Tom, James and Eric! Congratulations as well to Es Tressider and Joe Symonds for smashing the 25 year old race record for Goat Fell by a full ten minutes, completing the leg in 2:44:39. To see the list of class winners, and full race results, head on over to our Past Races page. Next year's race starts noon Friday 19 May 2017. Entries will open in November. Feeling nostalgic for your SIPR experience? Buy yourself some Peaks Race parpaphenalia in our shop to help keep your memories fresh. Track the race live! The entire fleet carried YellowBrick trackers this year, though not all teams used them on the hills. The race can be viewed in the embedded snapshot above, by going directly to our page on the YB site , or by downloading the YB Tracking app on your smartphone or tablet (choose SIPR 2016 from the menu). A long weekend with a difference!

This adventure race is for teams of Sailors and Fell Runners (both adult and teenage) and is held annually on and around the most beautiful parts of the West Coast of Bonny Scotland. The Race starts in Oban with a short hill run, then a sail to Salen on Mull, run over Ben More, sail to Craighouse on Jura, run the Paps, sail to Arran, run Goat Fell, then sail to Troon. The Race takes 3 to 4 Days and caters for Multihulls, Racers and Cruisers. Each team consists of 5 (usually 2 runners and 3 sailors), there is also an allrounders class for sailors that can run or runners that can sail, and a class for young people (with the assistance of a few adults). Runner looking for a boat? Boat looking for runners? Benmore, Mull's Munro Ben More, highest Hill on Mull © Tim Dawson The highest of Mull's hills, and the only one that is a "Munro" (a Scottish peak over 3000 feet/915 m), Ben More is a prominent feature of many views on the island. The name is Gaelic for "big hill".

It is sometimes referred to as 'the last Munro' because 'Munro-baggers' leave it until they have climbed all the other 283 Munros, on the mainland and Skye. It can be climbed relatively easily from the north at Dhiseig on the southern shore of Loch na Keal; or from the south, starting near the eastern end of Loch Scridain, but this is a harder climb. © Tim Dawson Unlike many mountains, the climb begins at sea level, so by the time you reach the summit you have climbed every foot or metre of its height! The effort is rewarded on a clear day by the most wonderful views across the island, in the east to Ben Nevis on the mainland, and many of the other Hebridean islands to south, west and north. Although a hill walk, rather than a challenging climb, the weather can be changeable, and a compass will be unreliable due to the magnetic rock that forms much of the summit. Wear strong footwear and take warm and waterproof clothing. Image courtesy of Tim Dawson About 5 or 6 hours should be enough for the climb and descent without having to rush.

Ordnance Survey Maps: Isles of Mull and Iona – Scotland Info Guide A Guide to the Scottish Highlands Islands and Mainland Isles of Mull and Iona The Isle of Mull is the second largest island of the Inner Hebrides, off the west coast of Scotland in the council area of Argyll and Bute. Mull is the fourth largest Scottish island and has an area of 338 square miles. The coastline of Mull is almost 300 miles long. The population of Mull, Iona and Ulva is around 1,800 people which is probably doubled in the summer because of the many tourists that visit Mull each year. Much of the population lives in Tobermory, the only burgh on Mull until 1973, and its capital. Mull is surrounded by the Sound of Mull in the north, the Firth of Lorn in the south and east and the Atlantic Ocean in the west.

How to get to Mull and Iona: There are several ferries from the mainland to Mull; Oban to Craignure Mull (45 minutes, £65) Kilchoan to Tobermory Mull (15 minutes, £50) Lochaline to Fishnish Mull (15 minutes, £27) Prices are based on 1 car, two persons, return ticket, 2006) From Phionnaport on the most western tip of Mull there is a ferry to Iona History of Mull Mull has been inhabited since around 6000 BC. Bronze Age inhabitants built menhirs, brochs and a stone circle. In the 14th century Mull became part of the Lordship of the Isles. After the collapse of the Lordship in 1493 the island was taken over by the clan MacLean, and in 1681 by the clan Campbell. During the Highland Clearances in the 18th and 19th centuries, the population fell from 10,000 to less than 4000.

Flock of Oystercatchers near the Loch Wildlife on Mull The island is home to over 250 different bird species including the White-tailed Eagle, which was reintroduced in the nearby Island of Rùm and migrated to Mull, where they now have a stronghold. Minke whales, porpoises and dolphins are among the sea life that can be seen on boat tours from Mull. Tobermory, capital of Mull Tobermory (meaning “Mary’s Well”) is the capital of the Isle of Mull. It is located in the northeastern part Mull, near the northern entrance of the Sound of Mull. Its population is approximately 700 people. The town was founded as a fishing port in 1788 on a layout designed by Dumfriesshire engineer Thomas Telford. Many buildings in Tobermory, mostly shops and restaurants, are painted in different bright colours, making it a popular location for television programmes, and gives the town a unique character. Important buildings in the town include Tobermory Clock Tower, a museum, the Tobermory Scotch whisky distillery, the Isle of Mull Brewery, and an arts centre.

Ben More Ben More is the highest mountain and only Munro on the Isle of Mull. It is the highest peak in the Inner Hebrides outwith the Isle of Skye. The mountain is situated in the south of the island, above the shores of Loch na Keal. The peak is best reached from Loch na Keal, the walk following farm tracks, the side of a stream, and ultimately up scree slopes to the top. From the summit on a clear day, the view encompasses the Sound of Mull, Staffa, the Ross of Mull and Iona in the distance. From sea loch to summit is approximately a 4 hour walk. Duart Castle Standing on a clifftop guarding the Sound of Mull, Duart enjoys one of the most spectacular and unique positions on the West Coast of Scotland. Duart Castle has been the base of the Clan Maclean’s for over 400 years. In 1991 Sir Lachlan Maclean, the present Clan Chief engaged Professor Sir James Dunbar Naismith to repair the castle. The main repairs were completed in 1995, but work on the castle still continues.

Opening Times: From 1st May to 2nd October: The castle, tea-room and shop are open daily from 10.30am – 5.30pm. Outside this period the castle and grounds have restrictions on opening hours, check before you visit! Iona In 563 Saint Columba, exiled from his native Ireland, founded a monastery on Iona with 12 companions. From Iona they set about the conversion of pagan Scotland and much of northern England to Christianity. Iona’s fame as a place of learning and Christian mission spread throughout Europe. Iona became a holy island where several kings of Scotland, Ireland and Norway came to be buried. Notable burials on Iona include: King Donald II of Scotland, King Malcolm I of Scotland, King Duncan I of Scotland, King Macbeth of Scotland and King Donald III of Scotland. Many believe that the Book of Kells was produced, in whole or in part, on Iona towards the end of the 8th century. In 1773 Iona was also visited by Samuel Johnson and James Boswell during their famous Tour of the Western Islands. Both Johnson and Boswell wrote famous travelogues of their journey.

Iona has been a place of pilgrimage for 1500 years, and today some 140,000 people make their way here each year. Iona itself is three miles long and a mile and a half long. Iona can be reached by ferry from Fionnphort on Mull and will bring the visitor to Baile Mor which means Big Town. Iona differs much from Mull, there are no tall mountains but instead there are some lovely white beaches. Interesting sites on Iona are Iona Abbey which is home to the St John’s Cross in the Abbey museum, Iona Nunnery, St. Martins Cross and several other Celtic Crosses. Isle of Mull Railway The Isle of Mull Railway is Scotland’s only island passenger railway. The railway is 1¼ miles long and operates steam and diesel hauled trains to Torosay, where you can visit Torosay Castle and 12 acres of prize-winning gardens and woodland walks. There is also a footpath from Torosay to Duart Castle (about 3 miles), ancestral home of the Clan MacLean.

Mull Tobermory Whisky Distillery This famous, very small old distillery, the only one on the island of Mull, reopened in 1990 after being mothballed for 10 years. It has continued to market two products – a malt and a blend. The former, identified as Tobermory the Malt Scotch Whisky is presented in a bottle with an enamelled label. The whisky from this distillery is classified as an Highland whisky. The current owner is Burn Stewart. The distillery is open for visits from Easter – Oct: Mon – Fri 10am – 5pm and from Oct – Easter: By appointment. Staffa Staffa lies about 6 miles from the nearest point of Mull, and 9 km northeast of Iona. Staffa is a small island and measure not even a mile long and a half mile wide, its highest point is 42 m (135 ft) above sea level. During the tourist season it is visited every weekday by boats from Oban and from Fionnphortand allow visitors to view the migratory puffins that settle on the island in the summer months, between May and September.

Staffa is now owned by the National Trust for Scotland. Ulva Ulva is a privately owned island off the west coast of Mull. Until the mid-nineteenth century its main industry was kelp collection and export. A church on the island designed by Thomas Telford dates from this period. The island has a population of sixteen people and is known for its wildlife, which includes deer, buzzards, golden eagles and sea eagles. The Treshnish Isles The Treshnish Isles are an archipelago of small islands and skerries off the south-west coast of Mull. They are thus part of the Inner Hebrides. From north to south, the larger islands include: Cairn na Burgh Beag, Cairn na Burgh More, Fladda, Sgeir an Eirionnaich, Sgeir a’ Chaisteil, Lunga, Bac Mór (also known as Dutchman’s Cap due to its shape) and Bac Beag. The islands are uninhabited and are owned by a charity, The Hebridean Trust. The Treshnish Isles are designated a Site of Special Scientific Interest and a Special Protection Area due to their importance for breeding seabirds.

They are also known for their Atlantic Grey Seals and ruined castles. Further Information: Mull - ScottishClimbs Mull Jump to: navigation , search The Isle of Mull, or simply Mull, is the second largest island of the Inner Hebrides , off the west coast of Scotland. With an area of 875 square kilometres (338 square miles) Mull is the fourth largest Scottish island. Mull has a coastline of 480 kilometres (300 miles) and its climate is moderated by the Gulf Stream. The island has a mountainous core, the highest peak on the island being Ben More (the only Munro in the Hebrides outwith Skye, at 966 metres or 3171 feet in height). Various peninsulas, which are predominantly moorland, radiate from the centre. The main town is Tobermory , at the north end of the island. Other settlements include Dervaig, Salen, Bunessan and Fionnphort. Numerous islands lie off the west coast of Mull, including Erraid , Inch Kenneth, Iona and Ulva .

Smaller uninhabited islands include Eorsa, Gometra, Little Colonsay, the Treshnish Isles and Staffa of Fingal's Cave fame. Contents Scottish Island Peaks Race 2000 James Jarvis Background To The Race The race is so arduous that it is more an adventure than race. It makes a marathon seem like a stroll in the park. The event is a combination of sailing and fell running. It takes place over 3 (or often more) days and involves over 50 teams. Teams consisting of five members (two fell runners, three sailors) compete. The first stage is a five mile hill race around Oban. On reaching their yachts the runners settle down for a rest whilst the sailors race to Salen on Mull. No engines can be used, if we get becalmed then the yacht can be rowed! At Mull the runners run (as a pair) 24 miles to and up Ben More and back to Salen where it is back on the yacht for some rest. The sailors now guide the ship down through the treacherous tidal waters round the Corrievreckan whirlpools.

Meanwhile down below the runners are trying to eat and sleep and not be sea-sick! The next landing stage is at Craighouse on the Isle of Jura. The runners are rowed ashore (hopefully not too sea-sick) so they can run 19 miles over the Paps of Jura (with ~6000 feet of ascent). The terrain is extremely rugged here. The approach to the Paps is over ankle turning tussocks and through bogs. The three Paps themselves rise very steeply over a 1000 feet above the plateau. The ascent and descent is over scree. The end of the run involves 4 miles along road to the yacht. The yacht then sails south and around the Mull of Kintyre (again, the tides conspire here to trap the unwary sailor). Once round the Mull the boat heads for Lamlash on Arran where the runners once again disembark by dinghy before running to, up, down and back from Goatfell. The Goatfell run is reckoned to be the easiest on paper but the cumulative effects of exhaustion, sea-sickness and blisters ensure that it too is a gargantuan feat of endurance.

On returning to the yacht the race is not yet over! The boat must sail to Troon were two members of the team must row to the moorings, run along the pontoons and up the slipway to the finish. Thursday 18 May 2000 ~5.30pm, Edinburgh Bag all packed I waited for Willie to pick me up for the drive up to Oban. It was at this point the nerves were beginning to return. Would I be sea-sick as I had been on the practice trip two weeks previously? If I was how could I re-hydrate sufficiently for each run. Willie arrived and I said my goodbye's to the family. The drive up to Oban was relatively uneventful but the weather looked promising. ~9pm Oban Arrived and it was raining. Headed for MacTavishes Kitchen were the "Last Supper" was being served. Tucked into some fine nosh courtesy of James' parents (thankyou again!). Met Brian for the first time. Also had to have our kit checked - fortunately it passed muster. ~11pm Headed for Dunstaffnage mooring to the yacht, Panther, were we would spend the night.

There were a number of other competitors moored there. Pre-race nerves were beginning to set in. Friday 19 May 2000 ~6.30am I awoke early having had a good sleep (last night's beer and the absence of small children helped). The other were not up so I headed up onto deck. On deck the early morning breeze made me nervous once more about the prospect of sea-sickness. We headed for Oban and the start under engine power. The sight of so many yachts was impressive enough even then but this was before they were under sail. The sea was sufficiently calm that the journey round was a pleasant cruise. The view from the entrance into Oban harbour was spectacular, particularly with so many yachts clammering for space. 12 noon The gun went off and the runners started streaming along the harbour road with a helicopter filming overhead. I was making a considerable effort not to run fast, this short stage at Oban formed a trap for the unwary, especially with 24 miles of hill running on Mull to look forward to that evening. Being two minutes slower here could mean we will be 20 minutes faster on Mull.

After less than a quarter of a mile we headed up a steep alleyway and along a narrow lane. Before long we reached the open hillside and were running along a farm track. The helicopter swooped low overhead but gradually became more distant as the leaders pulled away. Towards the end of the run the route dropped sharply through some trees. The going was slippy and although I had studs on my feet went from under me and I landed rather abruptly on my rear. This inauspicious start set my mind wandering to Jura, where the terrain would be a lot harder... As we reached the harbour road we could see the lead boats leaving the harbour. We donned our life-jackets and jumped into the dinghy. John started rowing as we frantically searched for our yacht. They missed us and had to circle around again. When at last we caught them, a line was thrown and as it went taut the momentum of the yacht jerked the little dinghy sharply and we all but fell in. The dinghy was hauled in. We scrambled aboard and dived down intto the cabin. The runners job was now done and our only task was to keep out of the way whilst the sailors hauled the mainsail.

Once past a certain point of the harbour engines had to be turned off for the duration of the race whilst runners were in contact with the boat.. 3pm - Sound of Mull With the yacht race safely underway the runners were permitted up on deck, at least between tacks. The wind was good although it was coming directly on our line of sail. The sight of a flotilla of yachts tacking their way up between Morvern coast to the North and Mull to the south was breath-taking. 5pm - Salen, Isle of Mull From the point of view of us the runners the sail had seemed leisurely but the approach to the mooring happened very suddenly. We were barely ready to jump into the dinghy. I had managed to make sure I had my pre-measured sports drink sachets, my Mars Bars and my Jelly Babies stuffed in the belt pockets of my KIMM sack. I grabbed the map case, clambered out the cabin and carefully made my way through a somewhat hectic cockpit. The dinghy was already tied on and was now cast into the water in the wake of the boat. John climbed in first and took our bags then somewhat tentatively I leapt forward.

I had been told there is a knack to getting into the dinghy. The most important thing is not to hold onto the craft you are leaving as you go! Instructed thus I went for it and was both surprised and relieved to manage without mishap. Willie followed close behind with a sureness that was to be his trademark throughout the whole venture. On reaching shore we ran up to the control tent where kit had to be checked. Once again our kit passed and Willie proceeded to see how many kisses he could get from the female marshals. This also turned out to be a Willie trademark - talk about a woman in every port! Once released from the marshals' embraces (yes there were several) Willie and I set forth along the long road section to Loch Ba. This was a distance of about 10km which usually would present no problem but we had to do it twice with about 20km of rough country and a Munro between. Willie is an expert at knowing what pace to go so I settled in to the somewhat tedious job of churning out the miles. The weather was however perfect. The warm May sunshine was still quite high in the sky (one of those magical early summer evenings on the West Coast of Scotland).

We passed some other teams who were mixing walking and running. We were also passed by a couple of teams, most notably Phil Mowbray and John Coyle. Phil and I swapped some idle banter as the two of them glided past. At the end of the road section a track leads off to the left (eastwards) and quickly reaches the south west shore of Loch Ba. We followed the track for over a mile before the turn off southwards into a Glen. Not far into the Glen the lead runners were making their way back! I imagine it must have been Rob Jebb and Mark Rigby on there way to setting a blistering stage record. The route we were taking led us through to the head of the Glen to a high pass. At the high pass we were to follow the ridge westwards to the summit of Ben More. The ridge includes a sister peak of Ben More but ascent of this was unnecessary. We skirted round its south side trying to avoid the tricky boulder fields. The secret is to stay low! The final ascent to the summit involves sharp climb up a steep ridge section. It was here that both Willie and I felt pangs of cramp in the calf.

Up until that moment the legs had been fine but the increased gradient of the final scramble threatened to wreak havoc. The summit was in a swirling mist but had there been a view we would not have tarried to appreciate it. Ahead of us was descent - something I was unsure about. Willie's experience meant that he was always going to be stronger on the rough descents. He led the way. I followed gingerly over some scree. My legs did not feel quite ready for the sudden change from climb to sharp descent. Coming off the summit we needed to find a checkpoint at the junction of two streams. As we dropped out of the mist it was evident that several teams were having difficulty locating it. Willie however knew exactly were it was. He descended the gully and checked in his tag while I lingered at the top of the gully knowing he would have to retrace his steps back out. The route now involved circling the north west corrie of Ben More to a saddle in the ridge running North from the summit. The direct line would mean a descent and climb so we were skirting (or contouring) round in an arc to both reduce the effort and hopefully the time.

On reaching the saddle we were to descend steeply back into the Glen leading back to Loch Ba. The descent was tricky and another pair of runners passed us. Once down to the foot of the Glen the running became easier but even so another pair of runners past us. Later we were to find our better pace judgement would allow us to catch them all before the end of the run. On depositing the last checkpoint tag at the end of the Glen where it reached Loch Ba we had more than a mile along the stony Loch-side track and six miles along the road. By now we were beginning to feel every foot-fall. Reaching the end of the track was a relief as it meant no more painful stones under the feet but the road section seemed to punish the entire sole of our feet. Half way back along the road we were passed by another female friend of Willie's and even here he managed time for a kiss! Oh! What I would have done for the bicycle! But we were still running at a good strong pace and it became evident we were gaining on some teams ahead. We passed two teams in the approach to Salen, one being a team that passed us on the descent into Loch Ba.

On the half-mile from Salen to the jetty we caught and passed the second team who had passed us in the glen. At the finish checkpoint Willie proceeded to get more kisses and embraces and even a shot of whisky. We had taken a little under four and half hours. Since we had told our crew that we would be five hours our oars-man and dinghy where nowhere to be seen! This slight hiccup was more than remedied for when John managed to row like fury to us he informed us our steak was waiting in on the yacht! And after that there was strawberries and cream! Now I must have been hungry but I honestly had no room left for the strawberries. Willie conveniently polished the lot off and downed some celebration beer as he had set a personal Mull stage best too. With Jura some undetermined sailing time away I crawled into my sleeping bag and promptly fell asleep. Saturday 20 May 2000 Now if this were a sailing diary I guess there would be a few tales to tell about Friday night-Saturday morning.

I imagine it must have been a rough ride because when I was woken and told we should be at Craighouse, Jura within the hour, I was distinctly aware that the sea was rough. The mood of the sailors suggested it had been a rough night. Whilst lying in my sleeping bag I was OK but the thought of standing up appalled me. I grabbed some breakfast of sorts staying in as horizontal a position as I could. Getting dressed on a rocking and rolling yacht is tricky enough but doing it and trying to keep breakfast down is an art form. Somehow I managed it but then discovered I had lost my map case and compass on Mull! I hurriedly found a makeshift map case and dug out my spare compass (amazingly I had a spare). All I wanted to do was get ashore and run. Running seemed a far more pleasant prospect than staying onboard, even in the relative shelter of Craighouse Bay. This time jumping into the dinghy was trickier but I was so keen to get ashore I would have swam if necessary! Once ashore Willie and I headed into the distillery malting shed where kit check was taking place.

We were in time to see one runner have his kit declared unsuitable - his sleeping bag was too light. This seemed harsh at the time but the weather on Jura was unpleasant and too flimsy a sleeping bag could literally prove fatal. On a less serious note the runner was trying to gain an unfair advantage over those who complied with the rules so the decision was appropriate. Needless to say the runner was not happy about having to send back to the boat for a bigger sleeping bag! The start of the run on Jura was cold and drizzly. We had practised the route two weeks previously on my maiden sail but then the weather had been glorious. Now it was just about getting round at strong steady pace. The Jura run involves ascending each of the three Paps. The word Pap means breast and the hills are shaped like breasts. They rise steeply out of the surrounding moorland. They are very difficult climbs because the sides are strewn with boulder scree. This is unlike the sort of scree that occurs in the English Lake District, this is rocks the size of televisons which flow from under you as you try to cross them. Getting the right line up and more importantly down the Paps can make a huge time difference.

The approach to the first Pap was trouble free but shortly into the ascent the weather closed in, with driving sleet. Desperately cold in a very short space of time I struggled to pull on my full body waterproof cover. This cost valuable minutes and progress up was slow, far slower than it had been two weeks previously. On the summit it was hard to stand even when bent over. I all but crawled to the summit following Willie, who as usual seemed oblivious to the whole thing! The descent went poorly in the mist. We missed the optimum line and came off too far round to the South. I was just glad to get down having been close to becoming crag-bound - an irrational (or perhaps rational) terror that freezes you to the side of the mountain too terrified to go forward or back. Fortunately the wind was considerably reduced on the next Pap and my spirits lifted. The climb was still hard work but I was content to follow Willie. I now consoled myself with the knowledge that one Pap was behind us. The second Pap seemed to pass without incident and our line off was considerably better. We had a short stretch of moorland to cross before the final Pap.

Halfway across I stopped to refill my water bottle and mix in the sports drink. The drink and another Mars Bar steeled my body for the final climb. We met another pair of runner on the final climb and Willie took great delight in asking them what they had dined on the previous night. They had had the runners staple diet of pasta. When we informed them of our steak dinner they decided they would sack their yacht's chef! Willie was happily chatting away to them whilst I struggled behind. They said they knew a secret line of the final Pap and they bade us goodbye! Willie's surname could almost be "Coyote"! Despite them outpacing us to the summit Willie picked out a perfect line. We descended the Pap with the murderous scree either side. Like angels from heaven we dropped through the mist and down to the open moorland below. Willie was slightly ahead by now as I stopped to tie my shoe lace tighter. It did not matter. Now we were running my kind of terrain. Tracks. Then road. Ahead of us we could see a team of three who must have been doing the challenge. All the way to the road we were catching them.

Just after reaching the road we exchanging greetings and went on our way. Just a few miles along the road and then back on the boat.... When we reached Craighouse we checked in at the distillery and their we had our photo taken with John. The row out to the yacht was relatively uneventful although the water was still quite choppy, even within the shelter of Craighouse Bay. When we reached the yacht I did my usual trick of diving below and lying down to avoid sea sickness. Willie, with help from John, was left to sort out some food for us. Apparently, our exit from Craighouse Bay was not smooth. I have little recollection of what happened as I was probably asleep. Jura had finished me off! Sunday 23 May ~5.00am Popped my head above deck to see we were somewhere around the Mull of Kintyre and somewhat becalmed. We were still managing a few knots but nothing scandalous! I went back below. As we rounded the Mull the wind dropped further. James and Brian, both of whom had had two long nights decided to cut there losses and get some kip below deck. Having slept for about fourteen hours I was now too awake to stay below.

In addition, the calm conditions made being on a yacht pleasurable for me! Up on deck John was helming but there was scarcely two knots of wind. We were in essence just drifting with the tide. Away to the south west we could see the islands of the Antrim coast. To the south east we could see Ailsa Craig, a distinctive rock island which is a famous bird sanctuary. I sat in the cockpit chatting to John and willing the wind to pick up. The sun was warm and had it not been a race we would have been quite happy to just enjoy the balmy morning. We could see a couple of yachts several miles away similarly drifting helplessly. The wind had picked up slightly to two or three knots. I asked John at what stage would the spinaker be an option... An hour later James the Skipper popped a sleepy head out of the cabin into the cockpit. He glanced at the speed guage to note we were doing 4 or 5 knots. It was a few moments before he noticed the spinaker was up, looking ripe and full in the breeze. There was a moment of puzzlement as he realised only John and I were on deck.

Then as John explained to him he realised that John and I must have hoisted the spinaker together. Willie was also awake an emerging at this point and expressed his disbelief that John had managed to get the sail hoisted with someone as new to sailing as me. The truth was that John had done all the hard work whereas I had held the helm. With his guidance on not letting the course cross the line of the wind all I had to do was hold a line. It was quite satisfying for us both to note the surprise on the faces of the others... The wind drove us onwards for about an hour but was enough to bring us round the south of the Island of Pladda on the southernmost tip of the Mull. The tide however was beginning to work against us and we were struggling to hold position as we rounded Pladda. It was not long before we were being driven backwards. The water was too deep and we were being drifted in dangerously close to the rocks off Pladda. The oars were brought out and we took turns to row. The was a risk that for safety we would have to turn the motor on to drive us away to safety.

Fortunately the engines were not needed as the tidal current passed its peak and the wind picked up slightly. Amazingly to the east one yacht was passing between Pladda and the Mull. The pre-race guidance to skippers had warned against this because of the lack of clearance in the Sound of Pladda. This boat's skipper was obviously a canny old sea dog because the boat found a way through! We rounded Dippin Head at a snails pace and Holy Island hove into view. Willie and I started making our preparations to run again but progress was slow and we relaxed again. Our destination involved sailing into Lamlash Bay which is guarded by Holy Island. The bizarre thing was that once we rounded Kingscross point and encountered the shelter of Holy Island we very quickly covered the last half mile. It must have been mid afternoon when Willie and I set out on foot from the inshore rescue boat station at Lamlash. The weather was warm and sunny. Initially we followed the main road but when it turned away from the coast and headed uphill and inland we carried on along the bay. This was easy running even with a rucksack on the back and I felt as good as I had been all weekend.

Half a mile further on we turned off the bay road and headed up the hill that lead to the Dun Fionn hill fort. Once there we coasted comfortably down into Brodick. Willie was getting a little nervous that I was pushing it too fast - I really felt like I was holding back. The route around Brodick bay mostly follows the road but there is a shortcut across Brodick golf course. We were soon at Cladach at the foot of climb up Goatfell. I had never been to the top of Goatfell so I was not sure how difficult it would be. The path however is very clear (compared to Jura) and the dry conditions meant that skipping over the rocks was easy rather than treacherous. I could not believe how good I felt. As we approached the final ridge we skipped passed two of Willie's club mates, Gary and Andy. We were having a flyer! The final ridge to the summit is spectacular. The views as we reached the top around the Glen Rosa horseshore were stunning. Goatfell may not be a Munro but with its adjacent peaks, the landscape is spectacular - and today the view was awesome. I paused a moment at the top to take it all in.

Willie left his tag at the checkpoint and headed off. This was the first time during the race I really stopped to be a tourist! I followed Willie a few seconds later. The descent down the ridge suited him more than me and I struggled to keep the gap that had developed. Once off the ridge and onto the path down through the col I closed up the gap. We were both descending fast. I think we were each on a runner's high. At the foot of Goatfell there is still four or more miles and a stiff climb to get back to Lamlash. Around Brodick Bay we were fine but on the climb out of Brodick Willie started to struggle. As we turned off the main road at South Corriegills he gasped that he never usually ran this bit. "You will today!" I replied cruelly! He dug in. I am more than ten years his junior but Willie is tough. He ran all the way until the climb through the pine woods to the top at Dun Fionn. That last bit finished him and he had to walk. At the top only descent and flat running remained.

I knew Willie was able to keep a steady pace to the end but with just two miles to go I wanted to push on to a good time. I kept the pressure on him to keep pushing. Fortunately he was too tired to pass comment on my words of encouragement! As we stormed into the checkpoint I knew we had done it. Willie's team-mates passed him a bottle of Newcie Brown and God did he need it. I put on a similarly needy look and I to was given a bottle which I drank as we jumped into the dinghy back to the yacht. Willie and I were on a high - for us the race was over. The crew however were just about to really start racing. We dived into the cabin as the activity in the cockpit was more than frenetic. Willie and I had done well on Arran - 3 hours 18 minutes, which proved to be second fastest for that stage. Once Panther had cleared Lamlash and was on course for Troon the boat settled and the mood up on deck became less frenetic but still alert and expectant. Willie and I tucked into some well earned scoff. I was really high! Up on deck things were really hotting up.

Panther was gaining on two yacht's in front but worryingly a yacht was catching up on the stern. James was completely focussed. John and Brian were poised ready to act at moments notice. In particular James was keen to avoid the chasing yacht stealing our wind - a tactic which involves positioning a yacht in such a manner that it causes the yacht in front to lose the air in its sails. There was a sudden flurry of activity, the chasing yacht suddenly cut across from the rear and starboard in line that would take it across our stern. Frantic orders from James and Brian and John were leaping into action - then disaster! One of the sheets holding the foresail cut loose and it was flapping in the wind like a shirt on a clothes line. The incredibly John caught it and held it. It was unbelievable that his arm did not get ripped off. The trailing yacht whizzed passed and wide onto our port side. The tactic had worked for them but was taking them off course for Troon harbour entrance. Meanwhile were about to perform a similar wind steal on the yacht we were overhauling... The yacht we had caught took evasive action and suddenly we were clear and it looked like we had a clear run to the Troon harbour entrance.

The yacht that had overhauled us was way off to the Port and was only now tacking to regain its line. We were going to reach the entrance first! Panther did indeed reach the entrance first but we needed a sharp starboard tack. The yacht that had gone wide had a better line but was still behind. Our tack did not go as clean as hoped and we had lost momentum but we reached the entrance first by half a length...but we had no momentum. The other yacht drifted effortlessly past us! It was still close and the race was not finished until two crew reached the Harbour Masters Office. To do this you had to launch the dinghy before entering the inner marina. The two selected crew would then paddle like mad to the morrings edge, leap out and run to the Harbour Master's Office. It was Willie and I in the dinghy, Willie rowing like a man possessed but they had 15 metres on us. They reach the morring and started to run. We reached the mooring, they had 100 metres on us. I sprinted, Willie realised it was futile but I chased anyway. Somehow I managed to close the gap down but I was running out of distance!

We were pipped by about four seconds to the finish! Footnote The race was the best adventure I have ever been on. I would like to thank John and James Leckie for allowing me to join the adventure, I would like to thank John for some cracking dinners on board and Brian for his jokes! A big thanks to Willie for looking after me on the hills and dragging me along on the whole daft thing in the first place. Many thanks to the organisers and the marshalls for their time and efforts. Finally, and by no means least, a big thankyou to Sinead without whose support I would not be able to train or race. Walking Holidays on Mull | West Coast Tours Walking Holidays on Mull 28 Jul 2015 As one of the largest Hebridean islands, the breathtaking Isle of Mull is renowned for its incredible wildlife, history and scenic views. The Island presents an exceptional opportunity for holiday makers passionate about walking and travel. Covering an area of approximately 353 square miles, Mull certainly has the capacity to keep enthusiasts occupied, with several walking adventures waiting to be experienced and enjoyed.

Climb Ben More on Mull What better way is there to see the beautiful Isle of Mull than from the peak of the second highest hill of any Scottish Island, Ben More. At a height of 3852 ft. (1174 metres) Ben More provides walkers a bird's eye view of the island. Furthermore, it is the mountain's central location that makes this 7 mile (11KM) trek all the more worthwhile. To make the most of the journey, tourists are encouraged to plan this walk on the clearest day possible in order to fully appreciate the scenery on offer. Whilst the views at the highest point of the mountain are rewarding, the climb can be steep and unrelenting – it's important to consider the the fitness of your travelling group before any attempts at “The Big Mountain". Carsaig Arches, Mull The Carsaig Arches are natural cliff formations - the result of erosion along the sea coast. En route to the destination, tourists are treated to a terrific coastal walk where they pass under some of the highest and most spectacular cliffs in Scotland.

From a wildlife perspective, the walk along Carsaig to the arches is a great area to spot peregrine falcons, buzzards, golden eagles and ravens. Additionally, fulmar, wild goats and deer are also regularly visible along the way. Whilst the journey is certainly picturesque, it's important to highlight the challenge it can present to even the most experience of walkers. At a distance of 8.25 miles (13.25km), this walk can take approximately six hours to complete. However, due to the very rocky and tricky terrain, this estimated time can fluctuate. Loch Buie Loch Buie, one of the most stunning locations on Mull, is another terrific path for walkers to include during their trip to the island. The village of Loch Buie is situated on the south coast of Mull and boasts impressive beaches, scenery and wildlife. Visitors can choose from an array of different places to visit, such as The Standing Stones, St Kilda's Church, Moy Castle, Laggan Sands, the Iron Age Fort and the Mausoleum. The walk to each destination is relatively straightforward as much of the terrain for the 5 mile (8KM) hike is mostly rough tracks and minor roads.

Additionally, the distance and duration of this walk is less testing in comparison to some of the other paths on Mull, taking approximately two hours to cover the main sights of this remote, but impressive village. For anyone passionate about nature, wildlife and beautiful scenery, there are few better places to experience than the Isle of Mull. Whilst the island's beauty is not restricted to the hikes up Ben More, or along to the Casaig Arches and Loch Buie, these walks offer visitors the breathtaking views and life long memories that Scotland's islans are famous for To find out more about trips to Mull, have a look at our explore Mull page, which has information on our various bus and boat trips to the island.

Question: The Scottish peak Ben More is the highest point on which island?
Answer: MULL